Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australian surfers have scored impressive victories on the opening day of the World Surf League’s Rio Pro event in Brazil.
In the men’s competition at the Saquarema break near Rio de Janeiro on Friday (Saturday AEST), NSW’s Callum Robson proved far too strong for two-time world champion Filipe Toledo.
Robson advanced with a dominant performance over the Brazilian, scoring an excellent 8.00 on his best wave, with a two-wave total of 14.93 securing the spot over the local favourite in one of the most anticipated heats of the day.
Another Aussie inflicted more heartbreak on local fans, with Ethan Ewing knocking out Alejo Muniz.
After announcing his retirement at the start of the season, Muniz arrived in Saquarema prepared to surf for the last time in front of his beloved Brazilian crowd.
Muniz was gracious in defeat, but was delighted to have his parents, wife and son there to watch him compete.
“My family is here, my father and mother, who started everything with me and believed in my dream since I was 10 years old,” Muniz said.
“Being with them, my wife and my son, makes me very grateful. I was up against one of the best in the world and I’m happy to end my journey in the country like this.”
Other Australian men to win on the opening day were Jack Robinson, Liam O’Brien and Morgan Cibilic.
The only Aussie to be eliminated on the men’s side was Joel Vaughan, who lost to compatriot George Pittar.
After securing his first victory of the season in El Salvador, Italy’s Leonardo Fioravanti maintained his momentum to beat local wildcard Weslley Dantas.
The result moved the Italian up to No.2 on the world rankings, behind Brazil’s Italo Ferreira, who beat Morocco’s Ramzi Boukhiam.
In women’s competition, Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons scored 14.50 points with a powerful backside manoeuvre in her first-round win against France’s Vahine Fierro.
Fitzgibbon’s victory secured her a spot in the quarters with the highest total score of the day among the women.
Another Aussie to advance was Isabella Nichols, who scored a buzzer-beating 12.50 to 11.70 win over Portugal’s Francisca Veselko.
However, there was no joy for Australia’s eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore, who was eliminated by Tya Zebrowski of France.
